We repair pitched and flat roofs right across the county, on everything from Purbeck stone cottages to concrete-tiled estate housing. If a repair makes sense, we'll say so — and if it doesn't, we'll tell you that too, rather than let you spend the same money twice.
Where Dorset roofs usually let water in
- Verges and ridges on exposed coastal slopes where mortar has cracked and wind has done the rest
- Lead or cement valleys on Victorian terraces, split along the line of thermal movement
- Flashing at chimney stacks and abutments, particularly where a later extension meets the original roof
- Slipped or delaminated slates on north-facing elevations that stay wet and grow moss
- Nail fatigue on older slate roofs — the slate is sound, the fixing has rusted through
- Failed felt at the eaves, so water that should reach the gutter runs behind it instead
How we trace a leak
We like to start inside where we can. A loft inspection during or shortly after rain tells us far more than a dry roof ever will: staining on rafters, damp felt laps and daylight through the covering all narrow the search before anyone climbs a ladder.
From outside, we work down the likely path — ridge, verge, valley, flashing, covering. On steep, tall or cliff-exposed roofs where safe access is tricky, a drone survey gives us the detail without the cost of scaffolding, and gives you photographs of exactly what we're talking about.
Repairing traditional coverings properly
Stone slate and handmade clay roofs can't just be patched with whatever's nearest in size. Courses diminish up the slope, headlap matters, and a modern tile dropped into an old roof will look wrong and often perform worse too.
We salvage sound material from the roof itself where we can, and source reclaimed or handmade replacements where we can't. Where mortar bedding has failed on an exposed elevation, we'll usually recommend a mechanically fixed dry system instead of just re-bedding it to fail again.
Storm damage and insurance work
After a Channel storm, the usual damage is lifted ridge tiles, stripped verges and displaced tiles on the windward slope. We can make a roof safe quickly, then give you dated photographs and a written description of the damage and repair for your insurer.
- Roof Repairs — how we approach roof repairs generally
- Dorset — all the roofing work we do in Dorset
- Chimney Repairs — chimney repointing and flashing renewal
- Leadwork — replacement lead valleys and flashings
- Emergency Roof Repairs — an urgent out-of-hours call-out
- Drone Roof Surveys — inspect it by drone first
